Prof. Craig explains America’s water rights, the Colorado River’s special case and environmental consequences of diverting the water far away from their river sources.   

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously decided against Mississippi in its water rights dispute against Tenessee. The case was not only the first oral argument of this term and the first decision rendered by the Court, but it was also the first of its kind: a dispute about groundwater rights that is based on tort law, and not the legal doctrine of Equitable Apportionment. If all of this sounds too... well, too legalese, not to worry. Professor Robin Craig of USC's Gould School of Law livens up this podcast conversation with stories about the Colorado River and the clever scheme of Tenessee to suction off Mississippi's water from right under their feet (I hope you read that literally). She goes on to explain how the Colorado River's water is split between the many thirsty states along its meandering path, and why it is that California has senior rights to Colorado's water over other states. In addition, she informs us about the environmental catastrophes that result from the mismanaged use of America's river and aquifer waters.   

Professor Craig specializes in all things water. She is the author, co-author and editor of many books on this subject, and has a long list of accomplishments and engagements relating to water law, management and scholarship in the US and abroad. They are listed on her academic homepage, the link for which is this: https://gould.usc.edu/faculty/?id=77538 

I hope you enjoy this episode and gain some perspective about our water rights and its environmental challenges. 

Adel

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